Week | 25 News NowSPRINGFIELD ( 25News Now ) - A new bill aimed at better protecting children in the state’s foster care system awaits Gov.JB Pritzker’s signature.
Ottawa State Rep Amy Briel sponsored HB 871 , which bans anyone with a history of sex trafficking or human trafficking crimes from taking in foster kids.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services already conducts background checks of potential foster parents. However, this bill would clarify that those with any criminal record of trafficking aren’t allowed to be foster parents.
Briel said her district is a hub for human trafficking, and the Ottawa Police Department is currently investigating a possible labor trafficking ring.
“We think of trafficking in terms of sexual, but labor trafficking is even more prevalent,” she sa